Card supporting device



June 17, 1952 c, RANSEEN 2,600,429

CARD SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 21,1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MAUE/TZ CZBA/vsEEN 34 25 WWW F7619 HG /0 A'r'roR/vsKs' M. C. RANSEEN CARD SUPPORTING DEVICE June 17, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 21, 1949 FIG. 24

' INVENTOR.

MfUE/TZ CEANSEEA/ flMMM ATTORNEYS CARD SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 21, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3' m [/2 M F76. 25

fi6.28 F7629 FIG. 27

v INVENTOR. Maven-z C'ZBQNsEEN ATTORNEYS Patented June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES TENT- oFFice CARD SUPPORTING nEvit-iii Mattie itanseen, Minneapolis, Mim u Agpueatitn- September 21, 1949; SeriaiNo; 113,670 ia-oiiiii 'j. (cite-11 i.

This invention reiates'to devices for. supporting; cards such as displaycards; posters; picturesand analogous fiat articles whereby such: articles are supported in an upright position;

It is an object of the present invention to provide a card supporting device: adapted to be: POSi-J tioned upon a suitable surfacesuch: as the top of a counter or in a displaywindow wherebya card may be supported uponsaid surface in an upright tilted or vertical position. I

An important object of the present invention is to provide a device forzsupportingacard Where-- by the device functions to maintain thecard in an upright position in such manner: that the weight of the card is largely translated to. the surface upon which the: device is positioned.

A further object of the present inventi'onisto provide a card supportingvdeviceadapted ,to'be fric'tionally maintained upon .the card whereby the card and the device may be moved about as a unitary structure;

A feature of the present device is the provision of a base member having front and rear upright members secured thereto in spaced relation wherein the upright members converge'and have portions of 'their' upper endsv secured together thereby resisting separation of separate portions of theupper' ends of the'upright members;

A" particular feature of the present deviceis the provision of a triangu1ar1y;configurated supporting structure comprising front and rear. up? right members wherein the upper portionso'f thev right member withthe clampingfinger main-- taining. pressure againstl theweard' thereby to maintain the card'iinipaia'llEl'.181913101 against the oppos'ed'tupright member;

Additionaifeatures of the present inventioninclude the superimposed relation of opposed upper portions of the upright members of the device wherebyrelatively large'clamping surfaces are provided the separate upper portions of the upright members between which a card is adapted tov be positioned; the provision of .a: separateclam-pineportion at the upper end of one'oftthe upright members whiohispositioned belo upperedsepft eonnps @913 .t n mb .t b sardis-ne i ohe ,t. enthese araie l mp n m iiQn an ir rheenmsedt mi ht er t: e t e card will e m nta n d tastie .9:: p ed upri h t nembert ,n p ra l e aii a ba m mber. 1. structure omp. S nat a a members w er in PQI iQH Qii t e up i t-membe ect; provid n a rig d. s1 ls prtiae de vis o of me nsiw etebxth sder m. v t iu tedto. var the. desre oi arwars eli the cards su rted the eby; vthe: earward: sa eesiw o he asem mber-bsmnq harearupri itm mz ber thereby. rov di g s ea y ta he-de se; he fiatwise d o tion o u r .en seq e arate q on e t eilpr h .mem srsie-a missi e r p n wh reb whe Qardi vs ate- 1 .e :i be w hea e Will b imaini ins i i l ht P p nd ular n si pn; the nr ii esi en 00 q t- Q s i t u s t eri h p i ht mem s 1 291115 91 1 9!.

. use as iwa ta er: tens Qit V to Pit- 92 and r r t a tmem e s sewedi a we ghted e s m m Bi' w ein 91 9. .9f. 9. 2? ri per I4Q ii the uprightmembers extend beyond theendloi thebase member.

an i e rati d -w tempt d-91in ate sW hihemrd mii d; F ur 3 "is-a r e r vc i e flath n s fr mswmqn h 'de ic of bs-i nt on ma b ii rmedn o E eu e.- =a id the card omitted; Figure 5'is a similar view with. a card supported in the device;

eurefi is a'pi'ansectional viewon theiiinez 6-6 of Figure 5;

FigurejrfiA is a side;view isimiiartorthai't'iof' Fig.74 showing HUM/1131191 device. is adjustabiefito vary the degree of rearward til'txt'oi'aacardwheni supported in the device 9W1 pitta-d vice newe from the right :hand'sideef Figure =1 butwlbh' Figure 7 to 12, inclusive, illustrate a card supporting device very similar to the above described structure but embodying novel structural features;

Figures 13 to 1'7, inclusive, illustrate a card supporting device embodying features of the present invention including a yieldable clamping finger;

Figure 18 illustrates a device similar to the above described structure but wherein the device is formed from two parts;

Figures 19 to 21, inclusive, illustrate a card supporting device wherein a yieldable finger is incorporated in the front upright member of the device;

Figures 22 to 24, inclusive, illustrate a device wherein yieldable clamping fingers are provided in both of the upright members of the device;

Figures 25 to 27, inclusive, illustrate an em bodiment of the invention weighted base member; and

' Figures 28 to 30, inclusive are views illustrating a card supporting device embodying features of the invention including a resilient loop memher which connects portions of the upper ends of the upright members of the device.

In the selected embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, there is illustrated in Figures 1 to 6A, inclusive, a card supporting device adapted to support a display card, poster or price tag in an upright position upon a suitable surface, such as the top of a counter or in a display window. The device, shown in rear perspective in Fig. 2, comprises a base member 2 having front and rear upright members 3 and 4, respectively, secured to the base member in spaced relation. The device may be formed from a one piece fiat blank such as shown in Fig. 3. The blank may be die-cut from a sheet of fiat, flexible material such as paper, plastic or light metal. When resilient sheet metal or plastic is utilized in the fabrication of the devices of the present invention certain inherent characteristics and/or advantageous are obtained as will subsequently be pointed out. For ease in forming the device from the blank, for economy of manufacture and for general utility the present device may preferably be made of relatively stiff paper or cardboard.

.As viewed in Fig. 3 the portion of the blank disposed below the horizontal score line 5 forms the base member 2 of the device of Fig. 2. The base member 2 may be provided with score lines I and IS. The blank has additional score lines 6, 1 and 8 and has a cut-away portion or slot which extends laterally from one side edge thereof said slot being defined by the edges 9, H and [2. Thus the blank embodies the base member 2, as before mentioned, the front upright member 3 which is defined by the portion of the blank between the score line and the score line B and the top edge 9, the rear upright member 4 which is formed by the portion of the blank defined by the score line 6, vertical edge ll, horizontal edge 12 and the score line 8 and a fiange member l4 defined by the portion of the blank above the score line 8, all as viewed in Fig. 3.

The embodiment of the present invention which is formed from the blank shown in Fig. 3 is shown in rear perspective in Fig. 2. The front upright member 3 forms a juncture with the forward edge of the base member 2 at the bend line 5 and extends upwardly at an acute angle to said base member. The rear upright member 4 forms a juncture with the top edge of the front incorporating a 4 upright member 3 at the bend line B and extends downwardly in flatwise relation thereto to the bend line I. From the bend line I the rear member 4 is bent rearwardly at an acute angle to the front member 3 and meets the base member 2 at the bend line 8 to form an acute angle with said base. From the bend line 8 the flange member M which is integral with the rear upright member 4 is disposed in flatwise relation to the rear portion of the base member 2 and is secured thereto by suitable means such as a staple l5.

To maintain the upper portions of the upright members 3 and 4 in fiatwise relation the relatively narrow portion ll of the rear upright member 4 which is disposed between the bend line 6 and the bend line I is secured to the front upright member 3 by suitable means such as a staple 16. The staple is preferably positioned adjacent the bend line I immediately thereabove whereby the upright members 3 and 4 are secured together at the apex of the acute angle formed by the converging upright members 3 and 4 at the bend line 1. Suitable glue or cement may be used instead of the staple 16 to secure this portion of the rear upright member to the front member if desired.

The cut-away portion of the blank which forms the slot defined by the edges 9, H and i2 is disposed in the rear upright member 4 and as shown in Fig. 2 the edge I2 provides the top edge of the upper portion of the member 4 which is laterally disposed with respect to the narrow portion ll. Thus it is to be noted that the upper portion of the member 4 which is disposed between the bend line I and the upper edge [2 thereabove is separate from the opposed upper portion of the front upright member 3 and is maintained in parallel relation thereagainst due to its integral relationship with the relatively narrow portion ll. As the bend line 1 traverses the full width of the rear upright member 4 the angle thus formed in said upright member provides lateral rigidity to the upper separate portion thereof.

Thus it will be noted that the upper portions of the upright members 3 and 4 are secured together across only part of their width whereby the remaining upper portions thereof are separate thereby providing opposed clamping members adapted to flex apart when a card is inserted therebetween. The card may be inserted between the clamping members by positioning a corner of the card below the apex of the converging upright members 3 and 4 and moving the card upwardly between the clamping members thereby to fiex them apart. The card is subsequently moved laterally and is positioned with its lower edge resting upon the base member 2 and when a relatively thin card is used the edge of the card may be moved against the vertical edge I I which provides an abutment therefor. As the upper separate clamping portion of the rear upright member 4 is in parallel relation to the front upright member 3 it is to be noted that the card is thus maintained in flatwise relation against the front upright member 3 whereby the card will be maintained in a rearwardly tilted position, as shown in Fig. 5. This is a feature of the invention.

It is to be understood that the top edge I 2 of the separate portion of the rear member 4 may be disposed at a point nearer the upper edge 9 of the front upright member 3 thereby providing separate opposed portions having larger clamping surfares. If desired the blank may be slitted only along a line coinciding with the edge e geeo zea The triangula'rly' configurated structure of the present device forms a very rigid supporting structure for a display card. By securing the up per portions of the upright members across only part of their width the opposedseparate portions thereof which are disposed laterally of the secured portions are maintained in contacting relationship Thus when acard is inserted be tween the separate portions said' portions will flex apart and the secured-together portions of the upright members will resist: such flexing whereby the card will biz-firmly clamped therebetween-.=

The triangular superstructure ofthe device comprising the converging upright members 3' and 4 maybe formedto provide any desired degreeof rearward tilt to the card supported thereby. Meansare also providedwhereby an already formed device, such as the device of Fig. 2, may be adjusted to vary the rearward tilt of the card. Such means include the provision of score lines It and 13 in the base member 2 of the device whereby the portion of said base member which is disposed between the score lines 5 and l-3 maybe bent upwardly as shown in Fig. 6A with the bend line H formingthe apex thereof; Thusthe spaced apart lower ends of the upright members 3' and 4- are brought closertogether wherebythe front upright member 3, against which the card is positioned; will assume a more vertical posi-- tion thereby providing less rearward tilt to the card supported bythe device.

It is" to be noted that the portion of the base member 2 which extends rearwardlyof-the lower edge. of the upright member. 4 provides stability to the device and prevents rearward: tipping of said device when a cardis supportedthereby. It I is also to be noted that the lower edge of the card rests-upon the base member 2- whereby a substantial portion of the Weightof the card is translated tothe surface upon which the device is positioned.

Figures '7 to 12, inclusive, illustrate a card supporting device which is-very similar to the device herebefore described with the: exception that the blank for forming the device is of resilient, flexible material such assheet metal or plastic. Thus the resiliency of the material which forms the device provides added features of the invention as will bepointed out.

The device. illustrated in rear perspective in Fig. 7 is formed from the blank shown in Fig. 8 which; maybe die-cut from: resilientsheet metal or plastic as before stated. The device is formed by folding the blank along the lines 25, 26, 21 and 28; thusproviding the base member 22, the front upright member 23, the rear upright member 24 and. the integral flangemember 34 which is suitably secured to the based member 22 by spot welding or cementing as indicated at 35 in Fig. '7. The upper portions of the rear upright member 24 disposed above the bend-linen?! are positioned in flatwise relation to upper. portions of the front upright member 23. Thus the portion of therear upright member 2-5 which extends downwardly from the bend line 25 to the bend line 2! and the portion extending from the bend line 32 to the bend line 2'! are normally positioned iiatwise relation to opposed upper portions of the front upright member 23. The relatively narrow portion: o f the rear member which is disposed immediately below the bend line- 26 provides the 6. connectingi means between the rearuprightmems ber 24 and the front upright member 23, namely at'the bend line 26.

The clamping surfaces of the two upright-members 23? and 24 between which a card is to be positioned is defined by the opposed upper pore. tions of the members 23 and 24 lying betweentliei bend line 32 and the bend line 2? which nor mally: are disposed in fia'twise relation; as before. stated, and are also adapted to be maintained m parallel relation when; flexed apart by the card inserted therebetween. To facilitate insertion of a card between the'opposed clampingsurfacesan integral rearwardly. bent flange member 33' ex: tends upwardly from the bend line 32, as shown in Fig. 9, whereby the lower edge of the card==may be positioned between the front upright member- 23 andthe flange 33and the card. thenmove'd downwardly to flex apart the opposed cramping surfaces and thence downwardly to engage upon the base member 22, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10 and in full lines in the-rear view Figs-ll and top view Fig. 12. The vertical edge 3| of the relatively narrow portion 3%) provides a lateral abutment against which the side edge of thecardmay be positioned.

When a card is inserted between the opposed clamping members as indicated in Fig. 10 itis tobe noted that the narrow portion 30, which is secured to the front upright member 23 at the bend line 26, flexes rearwardly from said-bend line 2% as the clamping members move apart. The card is indicated in dotted lines to more clearly illustrate the rearward flexing of thepor tion 33'. As the bend line 27 extends across the full width of the rear uprightmember the angularity thus formed in the rear member 24 provides lateral rigidity to the separateclamping portion of the member 24 which is disposed between the bend line 2? and the bend line 32. Thus the clamping portion of the member 24- b'e'' comes in effect an integral part of the narrow portion 30 thus causing said portion- 39 to flex rearwar'dly as the clamping portion of member 2a flexes away from the front upright member 23 when a card is inserted therebetween.

It is to be noted that the upper edge ofthe clamping area of member 24; namely the bendline 32', is maintained in contact with the rear surface of the card due to the resistance against flexing of the narrow resilient portion 30 from the bend line 28. Similarly the lower edge of the clamping area, namely the bend line 21, is maintained in contact with the card due to the re sistance against rearward flexing of the rear up right member 25 along the bend lines. 2'! and 28. Thus the card is positively maintained in parallel relation against the rear face of the upright member 23. When a relatively thick card is positioned between the clamping portions of the members 23 and 2d the lower portion of the rear upright member 24 may tend to bow rearwa aiy as indicated in Fig. 10. I Thus it willbe noted that a cardsupportingdevice is provided wherein the card is very firmly clamped between the two upright members due to the specific construction of the rear, upright member 24 wherein the separate clamping portion thereof is adapted to flex rearwardly against the tension of the relatively narrow portion 3% and against the resistance to flexing of the angularly configurated rear wall member at the bend lines 27 and 28. The; disposition of the op:-'. posed clamping areas of the memberslfigand 2R below the top edge 29 of the front upright member '23 provides added means for maintaining the card in parallel relation to the front upright member 23.

Figures 13 to 17, inclusive, illustrate a card supporting device comprising two upright members wherein one of said upright members is slitted from the top edge thereof thereby providing a relatively short, yieldable clamping member or finger adapted to maintain a card in an upright position between the two upright members.

Thus the device illustrated in rear perspective in Fig. 13 is formed from the blank of Fig. 14 which may be die-cut from sheet material such as paper, metal or plastic. The base member 42, the front upright member 43, the rear upright member 44 and the integral flange member 54 are formed by folding the blank along the lines 45, 46, 41 and G8. The flange member 54 extends rearwardly from the lower edge of the rear upright member 44 and is secured to the base member 42 by the staple 55 or by spot welding or cementing as may be required. The relatively narrow portion 57 of the rear upright member 43 which is disposed between the bend lines 46 and i 47 is secured in fiatwise relation to the upper portion of the front member 4 3 by suitable means such as a staple 55 or by spot welding or cementlng.

Thus the base member 42 and the two upright members 43 and 44 form a rigid triangular supporting structure wherein the apex or meeting point of the two upright members coincides with the bend line 41. The bend line i? is provided in the rear upright member 44 across only part of its overall width, namely across the narrow portion 51 which is secured to the front upright member 43 as shown in Fig. 13.

The rear upright member 44 is provided with a slit or slot 52 adjacent the narrow portion 51 said slot extending downwardly from the top edge 53 of the member 44 to a point below the bend line 4'! or to a median portion of the upright member 44. Referring to Fig. 14 it is to be noted that the horizontal edge 53 of the blank is disposed on a line between the bend lines 46 and 4? whereby when the blank is folded to form the device of Fig. 13 the top edge 53 will be disposed above the bend line 41. Thus the upper portion of the upright member 44 which is disposed laterally of p the relatively narrow secured portion 51 thereof provides a relatively short, yieldable clamping member or finger 58 having its upper edge 53 engaging against the front upright member as at a point above the meeting point of the triangularly disposed portions of the members 43 and d4. Thus the yieldable clamping finger 58 will assume an initial curvature, as shown in Fig. 15, whereby the top edge 53 thereof will engage against the front upright member 43 with an initial clamping pressure. Thus a relatively short clamping finger is provided which upon flexing rearwardly has a normal bend line 59 which coincides substantially with the bottom of the slot 52.

The yieldable portion 53 preferably has its outer corner cut on a bias as shown at 58 whereby the corner 65 on the upright side edge of the member 44 is normally spaced away from the front upright member 43 whereby the edge of a card may be inserted between the front member 43 and the yieldable portion 58 of the rear member 44 and subsequently moved into clamping engagement between the upper end of the yieldable finger 58 and the front upright member 43 as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The vertical edge 5| provides an abutment against which the card may be positioned.

Thus a card supporting device comprising opposed upright panel members is provided wherein an upper separate portion of one of said upright members provides a yieldable clamping member whereby a card may be securely clamped between said yieldable member and the opposed upright member with relatively little distortion to the other portions of the upright member of which said yieldable member forms a part. As the yieldable member 53 is provided with an initial pressure against the opposed upright member 43 it is apparent that a very thin card may be securely clamped and maintained in an upright position between said upright members. When a relatively thick card is interposed between said members the yieldable finger 58 will exert a relatively greater clamping action thereagainst. If desired the depth of the slot 52 may be varied thus increasing or decreasing the length of the yieldable member 58. Thus when the depth of the slot 52 is decreased from that shown in Fig. 13 the length of the yieldable member 58 is decreased whereby the clamping action of said member 58 will be correspondingly increased.

It is to be noted that the upper edge 53 of the yieldable member 58 is disposed below the top edge 49 of the front upright member 43 whereby the card is positively maintained in flatwise relation against the front upright member 43 when supported in the device as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 16.

The panel members of the device which form the rear portion thereof may have their left side edges cut on a bias, as viewed in the top view Fig. 17, whereby the rear portion will not be so readily visible when the device functions to support a card in a display window.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 18 and the structure shown in said view differs from the device of Fig. 13 in that the device is formed from two separate parts rather than from a single blank. Thus the base member 62 and the front upright member 63 may be formed of relatively heavy cardboard and the rear upright member 64 and the integral flange 65 may be of resilient sheet metal or plastic. If desired the two parts forming the device may be of the same material, it being understood that no limitation is claimed as to the material used. The device of Fig. 18 lends itself to specific designs of the front upright member 63 wherein the upper edge 69 thereof may have an irregular contour which may be representative of the outline of a building or of a skyline.

The relatively narrow upper portion 66 of the rear upright member '64 is secured in flatwise relation against the opposed upper portion of the front upright member 63 by suitable means such as a staple 61. The upper portion of the rear member 44 which is laterally disposed with respect to the secured portion 66 comprises a sepa} rate portion 68 the upper end of which is adapted to engage against the opposed upper separate portion of the front upright member 63. The separate portion 68 of the rear member 64 is made relatively yieldable with respect to the front upright member 63 by the provision of a slot 69 in the rear wall member 64, said slot extending downwardly from the top edge H of the portion 68 to a point below the bend line 12 which traverses the narrow portion 66. Thus the separate portion 68 of the rear upright member 64 9 provides a relatively short, yieldable finger adapted to flex rearwardly without causing any distortion to the triangularly disposed portions of the upright members 63 and 64..

Figures 19, 20 and 21.illu'strate an embodiment 'of the invention wherein .a device is provided which is adapted tto support a card or a plurality of cards in upright parallel relation with respect to the rear upright member of the device. The device may be utilized as a desk piece for supporting blotters, memoranda notes and so forth and has added utility wherein the open ended compartment formed by the upright wall members is adapted to receive pencils and the like.

The device is preferably made of resilientsheet metal or plastic and may be formed from a relatively long, narrow blank of the selected material. As shown in Fig. 19 the front upright member '13 is bent upwardly from the front edge of the base member and meets the rear upright member 14 at the bend line "16 to form an acute angle therewith. The rear upright member 14 is preferably perpendicularly disposed with respect to the base member 15 and has a rearwardly extending integral flange portion 11 which is secured to said base by cementing or spot welding as indicated at 1B.

The bend line 16 traverses only the relatively narrow upper portion 19 of the front upright member 13 said narrow porton being defined by the portion of the front wall disposed between the vertical edge BI and the vertical side edge of the front wall member adjacent thereto. The narrow portion 19 above the bend line 16 is disposed in fiatwise relation against the opposed upper portion of the rear upright member M and is integrally joined to the top edge 82 thereof at the bend line 83. If desired the narrow portion 153 above the bend line 16 may be cemented to the rear member but it is a feature of the instant device that this portion be unsecured and thus free to flex along the juncture line 83 as will subsequently be described.

The vertical edge 8| defines one edge of a slot 84 which extends downwardly from the top edge 85 of the front upright member 13 to a point below the bend line 16 as shown in Fig. 19. Thus the upper portion of the front upright member 13 which is disposed laterally with respect to the relatively narrow portion 19 and separated therefrom by the slot 84 provides a resilient, yieldable clamping finger 85. The upper end of the clamping finger 86 is bent forwardly as shown in Fig. 20 and is provided with a curved portion adjacent its top edge 85 adapted to engage against the rear upright member M at a point below the top edge 82 of the member 14 and above the bend line 16 of the front upright member 73. Thus the resilient finger 86 is provided with an initial tension whereby the upper end thereof is maintained in clamping relation against the opposed upper end of the rear upright member 14. Thus when a card is positioned between the upright members 13 and 14 said card will be maintained in parallel relation to the rear member 14 due to the clamping engagement of the upper end of the resilient finger 86 against the card at a point below the top edge 82 of the rear upright member Hi.

When a relatively thin card is positioned between the yieldable finger 86 and the rear up* right member 14 said finger 86 may flex forwardly about the bend line 81 which is disposed approximately on a line with the bottom of the slot or slit 84. When a plurality of cards or a relatively thick card is inserted between the fin-- ger -86 and the member M the forward flexing of the relatively wide finger will cause said flexing action to be translated across the full width of the front upright member 13 whereby the narrow portion 19 of said member 13 will flex forwardly about the bend line 83 as indicated in Fig. 21. Thus the narrow portion 19 provides a resilient connection between the front upright member 73 and the rear upright member I l, namely at the bend line 83, whereby the entire front upright member 13 may fiex forwardly when increased pressure is applied to the yieldable finger 36 thus preventing permanent deformation of the finger 86 at the bend line 81.

The present device provides a card supporting device adapted to maintain a card or a plurality of cards in a vertical position as shown in Fig. 2'1. The card which is supported between the upright members 1-3 and M rests upon the base member 15 at a median portion thereof whereby the portion of said base member which is disposed between the lower ends of the upright members 13 and T4 prevents forward tipping of the device. The portion of the base member 15 which extends rearwardly of the upright member 14 and to which the flange member H is secured prevents rearward tipping of the device. Thus a stable supporting device is provided adapted to be utilized as a desk piece for supporting blotters, papers and so forth and the open ended compartment provided between the spaced apart upright members 13 and 14 makes a convenient depository for pencils and the like. If desired a calendar may be incorporated in the front upright member is thereby lending further utility to the device.

Figures '22, 23 and 24 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein two upright members 8| and 92 are secured to a base member 93 and converge from said base to form a card supporting device having the configuration of an isosceles triangle, when viewed from one side thereof as shown in Fig. 23. Integral flanges 94 and 95 provide means whereby the members 9| and 92, respectively, may be secured to the base member 93 by suitable means such as screws 98. Opposed slots 9'! are provided in the upper portions of the members 9! and 92 said slots extending downwardly from the upper edges thereof to a point below the bend line 92 said bend line defining the meeting point or apex of the triangular'ly disposed portions of the upright members 9| and 52, as shown in Fig. 22. The opposed slots '91 are spaced inwardly from one side edge of the device whereby opposed relatively narrow upright portions 99 are provided between the vertical edges lfil of the slots 91 and the adjacent side edges of the members 9| and 92.

The bend line 98 extends across only a part of the width of the upright members 9| and 92, namely across the narrow portions 99-. The parts of the narrow portions 98 which lie above the bend line 98 are disposed in a perpendicular plane and are preferably secured together in fiatwise relation by cementing or other suitable means.

The upper portions of the upright members at and 92 which are disposed laterally of the narrow portions 99 and separated therefrom by the slots 9! are separate and provide yieldable clamping members or fingers 103 having their upper edges I04 disposed on a line above the bend line or apex 98 of the members 9! and 92. as shown in Fig. 23. Thus the clamping fingers I63 assume a bowed configuration whereby an initial clamping action is imparted to the opposed upper ends of said fingers. When a relatively heavy card I00 is positioned between the yieldable fingers I03, as indicated in Fig. 24, the fingers will fiex apart and the upper ends of said fingers will maintain parallel relation against opposite sides'of the card thus maintaining the card in a perpendicular upright position relative to the base member 93. The upper ends of the fingers I03 are preferably cut on a bias, as shown in Fig. 22, whereby normally spaced apart corners I05 are provided whereby the edge of the card may readily be inserted therebetween and the card subsequently moved into clamping engagement between the fingers I03.

The upright members 9| and 02 of the present device comprise a superstructure adapted to be mounted upon any suitable base whereby a rigid supporting device is provided adapted to maintain a card or a plurality of cards in a perpendicular position with respect to said base. As the card rests upon the base member 93 the weight of said card is carried by the base and the opposed upright members 9| and 92 positively maintain the card in an upright position.

It is also to be understood that the base member 93 may be disposed in a plane other than a horizontal position whereby the resilient fingers I03 will maintain the card between the members SI and 92 in perpendicular relation to said base.

Figures 25, 26 and 27 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein opposed upright supporting members are mounted upon a weighted base wherein portions of the upright members extend beyond the end of the base member thus providing means for supporting an upright card that is resting upon the surface upon which the base member is positioned. The device of the present invention also has utility as a desk piece wherein notes and papers may be inserted between the clamping portions of the upright members of the device and the weighted base member of the device adapts it for use as a paper weight.

The upright members I01 and I08 are preferably made of resilient sheet metal or plastic and have their lower ends secured to the base member I09 by suitable means such as rivets II I. The base member I09 is preferably of metal or other relatively heavy material and a flattened bottom I I2 provides a relatively large supporting surface for said base member whereby the device is maintained in an upright position. The sides of the base member are preferably rounded as shown at H4 whereby the device will return to a vertical position if accidentally tipped over on its side.

The upright members I01 and I08 converge from the base member I09 and meet at the bend line H6, said bend line defining the apex of the isosceles triangle formed by the members I01 and I08 and the top surface IIO of the base member I09. The upper portions of the members I01 and I08 immediately above the bend line [I6 are disposed in superimposed relation in a perpendicular plane as shown in Fig. 26 and opposed relatively narrow portions II9 continue upwardly therefrom in flatwise relation and extend to the bend line I I5, as shown in Fig. 25, said bend line H5 forming the juncture between the upright members I01 and I08.

The upright members I01 and I08 are provided with slots H1 in the upper portions thereof said slots extending downwardly from their upper edges in opposed relation and terminating pref- 12 erably above the bend line H5 as shown in Fig. 25. The vertical edge I18 defines one side of the slot I I1 and also forms one edge of the relatively narrow portion I I9 of each of the members 531 and I08 respectively.

The upper portions of the upright members I01 and I08 which are disposed on opposite sides of the slots II'I from the relatively narrow portions II9 are separate and provide yieldable, opposed clamping jaws I2I having their upper edges I22 flared outwardly from the bend lines E23, as shown in Fig. 26, whereby the lower edge of a card may readily be inserted therebetween and the card subsequently moved downwardly into clamping engagement between the clamping jaws I2I.

It is to be noted that the upper portions oi the upright members I01 and I08 which include the opposed clamping jaws I2I are wider than the lower ends of the members I01 and I08. Thus the members I01 and I08 have overhanging upper portions whereby the clamping jaws IZI, which form a part thereof, extend laterally beyond the end of the base member 109, as shown in Figs. 25. Thus a card I20 may be inserted between the clamping jaws I2I and with the lower edge of the card resting on the surface upon which the base member I09 is supported the card will be maintained in the upright position shown in Figs. 25 and 27.

It is to be noted that the bend line IIS extends across the full width of the upper portion of each of the upright members I01 and I08 thereby stiffening said portions along the bend line H6. The bend line I23, disposed above the bend line Iili, defines the upper edge of each of the clamping areas of the opposed clamping jaws iZI and the bend line H0 defines the lower edges of said areas. The bend line I23 cooperates with the bend line IIB to provide lateral rigidity to the clamping jaws IZI.

Thus when the clamping jaws I2I are flexed apart by the insertion of a card therebetween the flexing of the jaws will translate outward flexing to the relatively narrow portions II9 along the bend line II6, as shown in Fig. 27, said narrow portions flexing along the bend line or juncture II'5. As the narrow portions II9 resist outward flexing of the clamping jaws I2I it is to be noted that when a card is inserted between the jaws I2I the upper edges I23 of the clamping areas will be maintained against opposed sides of the card and similarly the lower edges II6 of the opposed clamping areas will be maintained against the card due to resistance against outward flexing of the upright members I01 and I08 which are secured at their lower ends to the base member I09. Thus the clamping jaws I2! are maintained in parallel relation to the upright card and the card is thus maintained in a perpendicular upright position with respect to the base member I09.

In pre-forming the upright members I01 and I08 the lower portions of the members I01 and I08 may assume the configuration shown in dotted lines in Fig. 26 whereby when the lower ends of the members I01 and I09 are subsequent- 1y secured to the base member I09, as shown in full lines, an initial tension will be imparted to the opposed clamping jaws I2I as will be understood.

If desired the upright members I01 and I08 of the instant device may be made separately instead of from a single blank as above described. When made separately each upright member is pie-formed to the configuration shown in Fig.

26 and the lower ends of said members are secured to the base member I69 in spaoedrel'ation the same as previously described. The upper ends of the relatively narrow portions I I9 of the members I31 and IE8 are secured together by a staple or other securing means adjacent their top edges H5. This is an anticipated embodiment of the invention but as it is an obvious expedient it is not thought necessary to further disclose it in the drawings.

Figures 28, 29 and 30 illustrate-a device which is very similar to the device of Fig. 25with the exception that the instant device has an integral resilient loop which provides the connecting means between the upper portions of the upright wall members of the device.

The upright wall members I3I and I32 are made'from a single blankpreferably of resilient sheet metal .or plastic and have their lower ends secured to the base member I33 by suitable means such as the rivets I34. The upright members I3I and IE2 converge from the base member I33 and'meet in an acute angle at the bend line I35. From the bend line I36 the wall members extend upwardly to the bend line I31 in superimposed relation in a perpendicular plane. From the bend line I31 the members I3I and I3'2flare outwardly in opposed relation thereby providing angularly disposed fiat wall portions I38 which extend across the full width-of the upperportion's of the members I 3' I and I 32as shown in Fig. 28.

Across part of the width of the upper por= tions of the members I3I and I32 the angularly disposed wall portions I38 are joined together by an integral arcuate member i353. Thus the arcuate member I39 and the angularly disposed wall portions 38 immediately therebelow provide a resilient connecting loop I for the upper portions of the upright wall members ISI and I32 as shown in Figs. 29 and 30.

The portions of the outwardly flaring opposed wall portions I38 which are laterally disposed with respect to the resilient loop member I35 are separate and have their upper edges IQI disposed in spaced relation, as shown in 29, whereby the lower edge of a card may be positioned therebetween and the card subsequently moved downwardly between the opposed perpendicular wall portions disposed between the bend lines Itfi and I31, as shown in Fig. 30.

The bend lines I36 and I3? extend across the full width of the upper portions of the members I3I and I32 thereby providing lateral rigidity to the opposed perpendicularly disposed wall portions between the bend lines I36 and I31. Thus the opposed wall members between the bend lines I36 and I3? provide rigid clamping jaws between which a card may be received and maintained in an upright perpendicular position, said wall members being maintained in parallel relation to the card due to the connecting resilient loop member I35 and the connections of the lower ends of the members I3I and I32 to the base member I33.

As shown in Fig. 28 it is to be noted that the clam-ping jaws extend laterally beyond the end of the base member I33 whereby a card maybe clamped between the jaws and with the lower edge of the card positioned adjacent the end of the base member I 33 the card will be maintained in an upright position, as shown in Fig. 30, with the card resting on the surface upon which the base member is supported.

If desired the integral resilient loop I35 may be disposed at a-medianportionof the upper. ends of the upright members I3I and I 32 whereby clamping jaws may be provided at both ends'bil the upper portions of said members. Thus. a card or a plurality of cards may be inserted between the clamping jaws on either or both sides of the resilient loop member I35 and due to the inherent characteristic of said resilient loop-and the securing of the lower ends of the 'wall'meni bers I3I and I32'to the base member I33, as-before described, the insertion of a card between the clamping jaws on one side of the resilient loop will increase the tension between the jaws on the opposite side of said loop. Thus'the removal or insertion of a card from one side-of the loop will not disturb the relative position 01 a card disposed between the jaws of the opposite side of the loop.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least "the principal objects of my invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be'variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that theinvention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that'myinvention is not limited thereto.

What I claim is: 2

1. A card supporting device comprising a base member, a'front upright member and a'rear up right member, said upright members being attached tosaid base member, the upper portions of said upright members being fastened together across only a part of their width. the unsecured upper portions of said front and rear uprightmembers being disposed in yieldable relation, whereby a card may be'interposed between said yieldable upper portions in'cont'acting relation therewith and be maintained in an upright position between said upright members.

2. A card supporting device according to claim 1 in which the base member and one upright member are integral and comprise a sheet folded about a transverse line.

3'- A card supporting device according to claim 1 in which the base member and the two upright members are formed from a sheet by bending the sheet at the juncture of the base and one upright member and at the juncture of the two upright members.

4. A card supporing device comprising a base member, a front upright member extending upwardly and backwardly over the base member, a rear upright member extending upwardly and forwardly from the rear portion of the base member, said upright members being joined together along their upper edges across part of their width and being separate inwardly from one lateral edge.

5. A card supporting device formed from a blank of sheet material transversely scored to facilitate folding the blank to provide a base member, and front and rear upright wall members the rear upright member being attached to the base member, and the upper edge portions of said front and rear wall members being severed inwardly from one edge and partially across the width of said wall members for the reception therebetween of an article to be displayed.

6. A card supporting device comprising a base member, a front upright member extending upwardly at an acute angle to the base member, a

rear upright member having a base portion bent to overlie the rear portion of the base member and being secured thereto, the front and rear upright members meeting in an acute angle at a point below the top of the front upright member, a portion of the rear upright member extending upwardly from said meeting point along the front upright member, and being attached to the front upright member.

7. A card supporting device comprising a base member, a front upright member extending up wardly at an acute angle to the base member, a rear upright member having a base portion bent to overlie the rear portion of the base member and being secured thereto, said rear upright member extending upwardly from said base member at an acute angle thereto, the rear upright member having a slit extending generally vertically therein from the upper edge, the portion of the rear upright member to one side of said slit being attached to the front upright member, the remaining portion of said rear upright member maintaining yielding contact with said front upright member.

8. A card supporting device according to claim 7 in which the attached portion of the rear upright member lies parallel to the front upright member, and the unattached portion has its upper edge bent back for ease of insertion of a card between the front and rear upright members.

9. A card supporting device comprising a base member, upright wall members having their lower ends secured to said base member in spaced relation, said wall members extending upwardly from said base member and meeting in an acute angle, said wall members extending upwardly from said meeting point, one of said wall members having a slit extending generally vertically therein from the upper edge to a point below the meeting point of said wall members, a portion of said slitted wall member to one side of said slit extending upwardly from said meeting point in parallel relation to said other wall member and being attached thereto, the portion of said slitted wall member disposed on the other side of said slit being separate and adapted to maintain yielding contact with said other wall member at a point above the meeting point of said wall members whereby the yieldable separate portion will be provided with an initial tension.

10. A card supporting device according to claim 9 in which the top of said yieldable separate portion engages said other wall member at a point below the top edge of said other wall member whereby when a card is interposed between the yieldable separate portion and said other wall member said card will be maintained in parallel relation to said other wall member.

11. In a device for displaying fiat articles such a cards, and the like, a base member, upright front and rear members secured to said base member and having elongated upper marginal edge portions disposed in flatwise relation and means for securing together said upper marginal edges for a portion of their length only, from one edge of the device, whereby the remaining unsecured upper edge portions of said upright members may be separated to receive and support an article therebetween.

12. A card supporting device comprising front and rear wall members adapted to be maintained in an upright position, the upper portions of said wall members being disposed in fiatwise relation and secured together across only a part of their width, said upper portions being separate laterally of said secured portions whereby a card may be interposed between said separate portions and maintained in an upright position between said wall members.

13. A card supporting device comprising a base member having upright wall members secured thereto in spaced relation, the upper end portions of said upright wall members meeting at an acute angle and having portions extending upwardly from said meeting point, one of said wall members having a slit extending downwardly from its upper edge to a point below the meeting point of said wall members, a portion of saidslitted wall member to one side of said slit extending upwardly from said meeting point in parallel relation to said other wall member and being secured thereto, the portion of said slitted wall member disposed on the other side of said slit being unsecured and adapted to maintain yielding contact with said other wall member to support therebetween a card or other sheet-like article for display purposes.

14. A card supporting device comprising a base member having upright wall members secured thereto in spaced relation, one of said wall members having a flexible upper portion normally engaging said other wall member, and means spaced laterally from said flexible wall portion for constantly resisting flexing of said flexible wall portion in a direction away from said other wall member.

15. A card supporting device comprising front and rear upright wall members having their lower ends disposed in spaced relation to maintain the device in an operative position, and the upper ends of said wall members being secured together across only a part of their width, upper portions of said wall members being detached from one another and disposed in yieldable relation relative to one another, whereby a card may be inserted therebetween and maintained in an upright position for display purposes.

16. A card supporting device comprising front and rear wall members having their lower ends disposed in spaced relation to support th device in an upright position, one of said wall members having a portion of its upper end secured to said other wall member, and having its remaining unsecured upper end portion yieldably engaged with said other wall member whereby a card may be inserted between the unsecured portions of said wall members to be maintained in an upright position between said wall members.

MAURITZ C. RANSEEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this "patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 479,129 Wirths July 19, 1892 568,090 Lindemeyer Sept. 22, 1896 1,524,338 Chisney Jan. 27, 1925 1,651,748 Blyth Dec. 6, 1927 2.062,916 Moore Dec. 1, 1936 2,219,492 Prichap Oct. 29, 1940 2,222,665 I-Ioenigsberg Nov. 26, 1940 2,480,918 Goldman Sept. 6, 1949 

